Maryland women’s basketball dominated on both sides of the court Monday night, winning their first game of the season, 80-26, against Loyola at the Xfinity Center. The Terps allowed their fewest-point total in the Brenda Frese era.

Maryland went in without the star power of Kaylene Smikle and Bri McDaniel, but that didn’t stop others from stepping up. 

Duke transfer Oluchi Okananwa started the scoring, with the team’s first points of the season. The offense shot efficiently throughout the first quarter, but it was the Terps’ defense that was the difference maker. 

Halfway through the opening quarter, Maryland had already forced seven Greyhounds’ turnovers. The Terps turned that into seven points on the offensive end of the floor. 

Loyola came out of the game shooting the ball very efficiently. They were 75 percent from the field and 100 percent from three-point range early on, with a pair coming from Kimme Hicks. 

But, once again, Maryland remained pests on the defensive end, forcing continuous Loyola turnovers. Through the Terps’ relentless pressure, they embarked on an 11-0 run with two minutes left in the first quarter.

Maryland held an 18-11 lead at the end of 10 minutes. Even though Loyola shot the ball really efficiently, the stymied Maryland defense forced eight first-quarter turnovers and converted 11 of their 18 points from their defensive efforts. 

On the offensive side, seven different Terps found the basket. 

Coming out of the first quarter break, Okananwa caught fire, drilling consecutive three-pointers. Senior Saylor Poffenbarger and transfer Yarden Garzon joined the three-point parade, extending a seven-point lead to 19 within a matter of minutes. 

Maryland’s defense wore down Loyola in the second quarter. The Greyhounds shot 12 percent from the field and zero percent from three-point range. 

Maryland head coach Brenda Frese emphasized in her media day press conference how this team would be deep. Their depth has been on full display, with 11 different Terps entering the game before half. 

After a breakout second quarter, Maryland went into the half outscoring Loyola, 20-4. The Terps went ahead, 38-15, at halftime.

Seven seconds into the third quarter, Poffenbarger found the bottom of the net from deep — her second three-pointer of the game and continuing her perfect start from the field.  

Almost three minutes into the third quarter, Maryland’s defense had only grown stronger, going on a 7-0 run. 

But the Terps were sloppy with the ball.

Maryland averaged a little over 16 turnovers per game last season. Midway through the third quarter, they already had 13, with five coming from Garzon. 

Frese also emphasized the youth of this team. Seven different freshmen touched the floor for Maryland, almost all had their name in the point column. 100 minutes of today’s game came from first-year players.

“We’re gaining this experience for the freshman that we have in the mix. Gives them great experience, especially because we know what Yarden and [Smikle] and Bri are capable of on a consistent basis,” Frese said.

The Terps went into the fourth quarter with a 68-21 advantage, as sophomore Ava McKennie scored at the third quarter buzzer. 

Maryland eased off the gas pedal in the fourth quarter.

After an impressive defensive performance — forcing a total of 29 Loyola turnovers — Maryland will take the 80-26 victory at home to begin their season. 

“I just think it’s a byproduct of how hard this team plays and that they truly want to get better every time they step out onto the floor,” Frese said.

Maryland will face off against UMBC on Thursday Nov. 6th in College Park.